Neo returns! Keanu Reeves confirmed to star in The Matrix 4 alongside original co-star Carrie Anne-Moss
- The hugely popular franchise about humans trapped in a virtual reality by machines has netted more than $1.6 billion worldwide
- Lana Wachowski will helm the new project, returning to write, direct and produce the latest installment
- Warner Bros did not specify if the new film would be a direct sequel, saying only that it was ‘set in the world of The Matrix’
The Matrix will return for a fourth film with Keanu Reeves reprising his role as kung fu-kicking, shades-wearing hero Neo, studio Warner Bros revealed on Tuesday.
Carrie-Anne Moss will also return to her role as Trinity in the new installment.
Lana Wachowski will helm the project, returning to write, direct and produce the latest installment of the hugely popular series about humans trapped in a virtual reality by machines, which has netted more than $1.6 billion worldwide.
It’s official: The Matrix, hugely popular series about humans trapped in a virtual reality by machines, will return for a fourth film
‘We could not be more excited to be re-entering ‘The Matrix’ with Lana,’ studio chairman Toby Emmerich said in a statement.
‘Lana is a true visionary – a singular and original creative filmmaker,’ he added.
Lana and her sister Lilly – who were formerly known as the Wachowski brothers, Andy and Larry, before switching gender – directed the original trilogy.
They’re back! Keanu will slip his iconic black coat back on to play Neo once again while Carrie-Anne will also return to play Trinity. The pair are pictured left in the 1999 Matrix film and right in 2017
Warner Bros did not specify if the new film would be a direct sequel, saying only that it was ‘set in the world of ‘The Matrix’,’ and did not give a release date.
The original films followed a band of rebels who battled intelligent machines in a future where humans are enslaved within the Matrix — a virtual reality that resembles the contemporary world.
Reeves’ Neo was a hero on a mission to save mankind.
Beloved film: The trilogy began in 1999 with the release of The Matrix, followed by The Matrix Reloaded in May 2003 and The Matrix Revolutions in November 2003
The dark fantasy featured a mix of pseudo-eastern philosophy and Western mythology, spectacular fight scenes and lavish special effects.
‘Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now,’ said Lana Wachowski.
‘I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.’
The original film turns 20 this year, with special screenings planned in the US later this month.
Lights, camera, action: The next chapter of the beloved sci-fi series will be written and directed by Lana Wachowski, who previously helmed the last three films with her sister Lilly (Lana pictured 2015 in Hollywood)
The third film in the series, ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ (2003), was the first film to be released simultaneously around the world at the same hour.
It is not known if Laurence Fishburne, who played Morpheus, will be returning.
Sources have told Variety, however, that Morpheus may be recast with a younger actor.
Unknown: It is not known if Laurence Fishburne, who played Morpheus, will be returning (Fishburne pictured far R)
Keanu has been revisiting a string of familiar roles lately.
Currently, he is reprising his role of Ted in the upcoming reboot, Bill & Ted Face The Music, which takes place nearly 30 years after the release of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey.
Additionally, he has returned to his role as ex-hitman John Wick for the newly released John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. A fourth film is expected to be released in 2021.
Model behavior: Carrie-Anne got her start in modelling before eventually shooting to stardom with her starring role of Trinity in The Matrix (pictured 2018 in New York)
Keanu has also recently lent his voice to the Toy Story 4, playing the stuntman toy Duke Caboom.
Since The Matrix Revolutions was released in 2003, Keanu’s acting resume has included starring roles in Constantine, The Lake House, and more recently, a role as himself in the Netflix comedy Always Be My Maybe.
Carrie-Anne got her start in modelling before eventually shooting to stardom with her starring role of Trinity in The Matrix.
Following The Matrix, Carrie-Anne enjoyed success on television, with roles in Chuck, Vegas, Humans, Jessica Jones, and more recently, Tell Me A Story.
Unknowns: It is not known if Laurence Fishburne, who played Morpheus, will be returning (pictured 2019)
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